Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Day 8 + Stem Cell Transplant info

Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. Cohen is doing great!!! They removed the NG tube on Monday, started him on clear liquids, and he's was able to start eating yesterday. Everything looks great and they were saying he will probably could go home tomorrow.
After Cohen is discharged from this hospital stay he will no longer be followed by Oncology. The Bone Marrow Transplant Team will follow him through both stem cell transplants, radiation, and then 6 months of oral medication. After that Oncology will follow him again. I can't believe that Cohen will have his first stem cell transplant soon. Time has flown by so fast... They are hoping to start chemo on the 21st; assuming that he has recovered from surgery. He will have 6 days of chemo at very high doses, 1 day to rest, and on the 8th day he will have the 1st stem cell transplant. The high doses of chemo destroys all bone marrow cells and the transplant will help the bone marrow to recover. The stem cells will go into his IV exactly how a blood or platelet transfusion does. He will need to stay in the hospital 3 to 4 weeks (until his bone marrow recovers.) During that time he will receive transfusions, antibiotics, pain medication, and nutritional support. The 2nd transplant will be at least four weeks from the day he received the first transplant.
I've updated the calendar above with our schedule with the upcoming tests and other stuff. He'll have a busy week next week.

3 comments:

Erin said...

I already miss Kelsi and Cohen:) FYI-I can't see events on the calendar, it says I don't have permission to view them. I wonder if other people can?

Kingsford Family said...

I'm glad things are going as well for Cohen. Wow, you must feel like you have taken up residency at PCMC! That's a long stay you have coming up. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you or bring you. I'll be up there again on Monday. We'll be keeping you in our prayers.

Take care,
Michele

carolyn q said...

Ashley,
Though I haven't posted much latetly, I check your blog for updates to how the kids are doing.
Please know your family is in my prayers.
Thanks for always having a smile on your face when I know it's a stretch!!!
Hugs,
Carolyn


 
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